In-Depth C1100 Review

[80B]

OK, so I was up late last night replacing my C2500 preamp with a brand spanking-new C1100. Tore down my rack to accommodate other new pieces and cleaned up the wiring. Thought I'd write a review of it, along with the new Schiit Yggy and Aurender, post pictures of the rack in the niche in the house we just built, blah, blah blah. Instead we get this:

Spent the day doing stuff associated with a new house, then boss-girl and I decided to mix up a pitcher of Cointreau & Don Julio margaritas for happy hour. She cooked some wonderful red snapper which we ate on the lanai while watching the ospreys, roseate spoonbills, egrets herons all flying by. I passed out afterwards on my listening chair having drunk more than I do in a week (which isn't a hell of a lot and would make the college-age version of me laugh).

So I wake up and think I need to listen to something. Call up "What is and Should Never Be" from Led Zeppelin II on the Aurender via Qobuz, crank the volume to 50, and have the best 4:46 of aural bliss one can imagine - like your best headphone experience times six (not 5, not 7). Soundstage, depth, detail, picturing Jimmy Page messing with the dials as he re-masters the masterpiece. It's all there.

Had my eyes closed and a smile on my face reaching the Pacific Ocean. Boss-girl came out from the studio a few minutes later and agreed all the work with the new house, gear and everything is worth it. What more can I say?

[bart]

Paul, I enjoyed that even more than an in-depth review!

Thank you for sharing and enjoy!!

[brownbear]

Originally Posted by 80B

OK, so I was up late last night replacing my C2500 preamp with a brand spanking-new C1100. Tore down my rack to accommodate other new pieces and cleaned up the wiring. Thought I'd write a review of it, along with the new Schiit Yggy and Aurender, post pictures of the rack in the niche in the house we just built, blah, blah blah. Instead we get this:

Spent the day doing stuff associated with a new house, then boss-girl and I decided to mix up a pitcher of Cointreau & Don Julio margaritas for happy hour. She cooked some wonderful red snapper which we ate on the lanai while watching the ospreys, roseate spoonbills, egrets herons all flying by. I passed out afterwards on my listening chair having drunk more than I do in a week (which isn't a hell of a lot and would make the college-age version of me laugh).

So I wake up and think I need to listen to something. Call up "What is and Should Never Be" from Led Zeppelin II on the Aurender via Qobuz, crank the volume to 50, and have the best 4:46 of aural bliss one can imagine - like your best headphone experience times six (not 5, not 7). Soundstage, depth, detail, picturing Jimmy Page messing with the dials as he re-masters the masterpiece. It's all there.

Had my eyes closed and a smile on my face reaching the Pacific Ocean. Boss-girl came out from the studio a few minutes later and agreed all the work with the new house, gear and everything is worth it. What more can I say?

Heart Warming

[Antonmb]

That’s better than any review you could write.

[W9TR]

Wonderful Paul - glad it all worked out!

[Cohibaman]

“Boss-girl” lol!!! Great story.

[PeterMusic]

Hahaha--I love this.

Separate topic--I'm guessing from your signature that you've changed too many things to have an opinion on sound impact of the preamp upgrade in particular. But please let us know if you do.

[80B]

Thanks guys. I did break my rule from the early days of this forum to not post while under the influence, so I apologize for the misleading title. A dry sense of humor sometimes doesn't convey too well online.

PeterMusic,
Most of the time we had music from iTunes from the Mac Mini. Until we moved I had some space constraints, so didn't replace it. Over the last month, I added the Yggy, then the Aurender N100C about 2 weeks ago. In brief, the Yggy made the old Benchmark 1 DAC sound thin by comparison (the Benchmark is still impressive for a 12-year-old component IMO). Next the Aurender, replacing the Mac Mini, brought more clarity and presence. The C1100, which I haven't even played the phono input yet, brings a more realistic soundstage, and overall presence. I'm sure all these will benefit from some more break-in, but we're loving it in the meantime!

[John Jordan]

80B-

Congratulations on the new crib. Not much like a new home and much more importantly, happy Boss Girl to boot!

Having moved from a 2500 to 1100 a few years ago, I understand the improvement you are experiencing. While having a different DAC and player/streamer, your choices also are highly regarded and will afford you much listening pleasure. The remaining of your incredible sound machine must be extremely pleased as well!

Although the leaves are turning here in the northeast, might I ask the recipe for those margaritas you mentioned?

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by 80B

OK, so I was up late last night replacing my C2500 preamp with a brand spanking-new C1100. Tore down my rack to accommodate other new pieces and cleaned up the wiring. Thought I'd write a review of it, along with the new Schiit Yggy and Aurender, post pictures of the rack in the niche in the house we just built, blah, blah blah. Instead we get this:

Spent the day doing stuff associated with a new house, then boss-girl and I decided to mix up a pitcher of Cointreau & Don Julio margaritas for happy hour. She cooked some wonderful red snapper which we ate on the lanai while watching the ospreys, roseate spoonbills, egrets herons all flying by. I passed out afterwards on my listening chair having drunk more than I do in a week (which isn't a hell of a lot and would make the college-age version of me laugh).

So I wake up and think I need to listen to something. Call up "What is and Should Never Be" from Led Zeppelin II on the Aurender via Qobuz, crank the volume to 50, and have the best 4:46 of aural bliss one can imagine - like your best headphone experience times six (not 5, not 7). Soundstage, depth, detail, picturing Jimmy Page messing with the dials as he re-masters the masterpiece. It's all there.

Had my eyes closed and a smile on my face reaching the Pacific Ocean. Boss-girl came out from the studio a few minutes later and agreed all the work with the new house, gear and everything is worth it. What more can I say?

As a fellow denizen of the deep south (Gulf Coast Style): You are my Ambassador of Quan!